The venue was St Johns Smith Square, a decommissioned church within a stones throw of parliament, it has been tastefully and effectively adapted for use as a concert hall, and has become one of the more prestigious central London venues.
Playing Bass Trombone I was involved in two pieces, a selection from the Gadfly Suite, and Tchaik 5. While I have played the Tchaikovsky many times the Schostakovich was totally new to me, and due to a strained rehearsal schedule I ended up sight reading the first movement on the stand. That always adds to the excitment! Now I have played this piece I know it to be a fine work, and I will be seeking out a recording, any suggestions?
The Tchaikovsky was the piece that first made take up the Bass Trombone, playing with my youth orchestra I commented to the tutor that it was a shame that none of the trombones we had were proper basses, but that we ended up with the best tenors on first, the next best on second and the beginners on third. In this symphony all three parts are equally important, indeed I think the Bass has more solos than the first. Well half an hour later the Tutor comes back with a Yamaha student Bass Trombone, gives it to me and tells me that I'm playing it in the concert at the end of the week. I did play in the concert, and wasn't the worst there, but I think I have made some substantial progress in the intervening #* years.
This was an excellent concert, well played and well programmed, the LCO has one of the best string sections of any of the non professional orchestras in London, and a very fine conductor in Will Carslake (and I havn't been paid to say that -- yet)
It is always a joy to play with this Orchestra, at this venue, and then have a pint or three at the Marquise of Granby afterwards.
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